Farmland Encounters, Hazards and NPCs for Fantasy RPGs

A cruel bailiff with several guards and a wagon is here to collect taxes.

Simple encounter tables for farmlands in any fantasy setting. Tables for Farmland Encounter Prompts, Farmland Hazards & Distractions and Quick Farmland NPCs.

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Fantasy Farmland Encounters

Farmland encounters might be farmers inviting the group to join them for a feast, a group of bandits supported by the locals or people gathering to sing to the crops. There might a distressed cow caught in deep mud or a nest of angry wasps.

A place of fields full of crops, rolling hills grazed by goats, scattered villages and outlying farmsteads. A place of gloomy farmers, talkative shepherds, carefree pedlars and maybe a halfling herbalist.

There is a fantasy encounter generator at ChaosGen. There is also a pdf of these and more tables at the DriveThruRPG as Farmland Encounters.

10 Farmland Encounter Prompts

1d10	10 Farmland Encounter Prompts
1	A patrol of militia is passing through, checking rumours of a monster.
2	A finely dressed scholar and their large bodyguard are asking about old stories. The locals are wildly speculating on who they really are.
3	A family of farmers is heading to a nearby farm where a special bread has been baked. Invite group along to join a traditional feast.
4	A fortune teller's tent has a queue of locals wanting advice.
5	A wandering minstrel has a colourful cloak many tales. They are here to take part in a ritual where the locals sing to the crops.
6	A group of cunning bandits is supported by the locals and watches for an opportunity to ambush (or swindle) the group.
7	A cruel bailiff with several guards and a wagon is here to collect taxes.
8	A pair of giants are trying to be stealthy, as they are planning on stealing cows. Are carrying trees they try to hide behind.
9	A powerful mage has bought some land and is currently surveying it. Knows little of farming but has retired here for peaceful life.
10	A mounted noble with servants and guards searches for old ruins.

Farmland Hazards and Distractions

1d10	There is (or are)...
1	a field of burning crops or a nest of angry wasps
2	something out of place here... d10 (1-2. an ornate statue 3. an advertisement 4. an observatory 5. a pavilion tent 6. an armoured wagon 7. a baby in a basket 8. a dinosaur 9. a lost tourist 10. stack of books )
3	heavy rain and risk of flooding or a pair of thieving magpies
4	a distressed cow (or pony) caught in a hole (or deep mud)
5	there is the strong smell of ... d10 (1-2. manure 3. cider 4. something burning 5. dead animals 6. flowers 7. rotten fruit 8. lemons 9. hay 10. cooking meat)
6	unusually hot (or cold) weather or a temporary local market
7	stampede of farm animals or glowing lights on a nearby hillside
8	sounds of ... d10 (1-2. a heated dispute 3. a hunt 4. distressed animals 5. music 6. thunder 7. wolves 8. a celebration 9. bellowing animals 10. a bell)
9	a sign warning of dogs or strong winds and hail
10	a strange and unique local festival involving cheese (or bees)

Quick Farmland NPCs

1d10	Descriptor	Profession	who...
1	gloomy or dwarf	farmer	has family everywhere
2	halfling or serene	pedlar	has a gift for a character
3	friendly or grumpy	bandit	has an old war wound (or dog)
4	lycanthrope or ragged	herbalist	talks about leylines (or faeries)
5	vulgar or faerie	labourer	offers them homemade drinks
6	carefree or elderly	smith	is looking for work (or revenge)
7	restless or beast-kin	priest	loves gossip (or bad jokes)
8	half-human or rugged	hedge wizard	is in league with local bandits
9	quarrelsome or elf	vagabond	always talks in terms of weather
10	talkative or humble	herder	is with a herd of goats (or pigs)

More Encounters